Scripture: Colossians 4:3-4, ‘At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.’

Observations: Paul commands the Christians in Colossae to continue steadfastly in prayer (v2), and he adds, ‘at the same time, pray also for us.’ If they’re going to be praying regularly, he asks that they also pray for Paul and his team (who he lists in v7-17). And he asks them to pray for two things. Firstly, ‘that God may open to us a door for the word.’ Paul wants nothing more than opportunities ‘to declare the mystery of Christ.’ By mystery he means the gospel, that God saves people through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul has been imprisoned for proclaiming the gospel, which is why he is asking that they pray for new opportunities. It’s possible Paul is asking that they pray for his release so he can continue his gospel work. Secondly, he asks that they pray ‘that I may make [the gospel] clear, which is how I ought to speak.’ Paul doesn’t just want opportunities, he wants to use those opportunities well, he wants to preach the gospel clearly. Paul gives his criteria for preaching and evangelism – it must be clear, or people can’t understand it and be saved.

Application: Firstly, do you ask people to pray for you, your family, or your ministry team? Do you ever in your conversations add, ‘By the way when you’re doing that, at the same time, pray also for us?’ Often when we do ask people to pray for us it’s because of a particular circumstance, an illness, or a struggle, or one of the kids, or a challenge at work. Next time ask people to pray for opportunities to share the gospel and to share it clearly. Declaring the mystery of Christ might not be our full-time vocation as it was for Paul, but every follower of Christ should ‘always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. (1 Pet 3:15)’ Are you praying for opportunities to tell people about Jesus? Are you asking others to pray that you would see and respond to those opportunities? And are you praying for your fellow brothers and sisters ‘that God may open for them a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ?’

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, You sent Jesus to die that Your people might be forgiven and reconciled with You and receive eternal life. And You save Your people when they hear the mystery of Jesus Christ declared clearly and they put their faith in him. But like Paul says, people can only be saved if they hear the gospel, and they will only hear the gospel if it is preached to them (Rom 10:14), and they will only understand it if it is clear. And so Lord, I pray that You would open a door for Your word that I might be able to share the Good News about Jesus with other people. Lord, fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I might not only see those gospel opportunities, but that I will respond, and that I will share the gospel clearly. And Lord, I pray that for my church. I pray that each member in our church will be given opportunities to declare their hope in Jesus Christ with other people. May we be children that love our Heavenly Father with all our hearts. May we be children who proclaim the praises of the One who rescued us from darkness and brought us into Your glorious light. May we declare the mysteries of Christ that people might hear, understand, and be saved. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.